Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, known for his work on the acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is leading a new role-playing game (RPG) titled The Blood of Dawnwalker at his studio, Rebel Wolves. He is building this ambitious project with a team of approximately 155 people, emphasizing that the smaller team structure allows for greater creativity and connection. “I think that medium sized teams and smaller teams are actually better for making games because you have greater freedom,” he stated.
Set to launch in 2026, The Blood of Dawnwalker promises to redefine the RPG landscape. Tomaszkiewicz aims to create a game that offers players a uniquely open experience, allowing them to “do whatever you want to do.” This shift reflects an effort to blend traditional RPG elements with the narrative freedom found in tabletop games.
A Rich Fantasy World
The game is set in a fresh fantasy universe that intertwines historical elements with rich lore beyond mere vampire themes, despite vampires being a significant aspect. “We have a much richer world and much richer lore than one with only vampires – we have a lot of different creatures and an ecosystem of the night that makes it really interesting,” Tomaszkiewicz explained. The protagonist, a miner with silver in his body, faces a transformation into a vampire that cannot be completed due to his unique condition.
Players will navigate a dual existence: during the day as a human, they can develop unique skills and engage with the story, while at night, they can utilize powerful vampire abilities. This duality is central to the gameplay experience, offering different perspectives and interactions based on the time of day.
Player Choices and Narrative Sandbox
Unlike many RPGs that offer limited choices, The Blood of Dawnwalker introduces a “narrative sandbox” approach. Upon exiting the prologue, players will know their main antagonist and the objective of saving their family, but how they reach that goal is entirely up to them. “You can do whatever you want to do; all the quests around are optional. It’s up to you how you will shape your story,” Tomaszkiewicz noted.
The developers have crafted a system where players can choose to develop their character solo, seek allies, or explore the world for powerful spells and items, enhancing their gameplay experience. This level of freedom is anticipated to set a new standard in RPG storytelling.
While narrative depth is a focus, the game also features engaging combat mechanics, reminiscent of the well-received combat in The Witcher 3. Yet, Tomaszkiewicz assures that the combat will feel distinctly different. “Maybe it looks similar, but it feels totally different,” he said, noting that players will have more than five distinct combat styles to choose from, ranging from challenging full directional attacks to simpler automatic blocking techniques.
The magic system will introduce innovative mechanics that alter the dynamics of encounters, moving beyond traditional spells to strategies that impact the flow of battle significantly. This evolution in gameplay is set to resonate with both fans of The Witcher and newcomers alike.
As development continues, The Blood of Dawnwalker is positioned to become one of the most anticipated RPGs of its time, offering a blend of narrative depth, player freedom, and engaging combat that could redefine the genre.
